BASF has declared the purchase of the Mazzaferro Group’s
polyamide (PA) polymer business based in Brazil. Through this acquisition,
the position of BASF has been strengthened with respect to polyamide polymers
and engineering plastics in South America.

The acquisition includes the production plants and locations
for the engineering plastics compounds and PA 6 product range at São Bernardo do Campo.
The capacity of the polymerization facility is approximately 20,000 t annually.

Mazzaferro’s businesses based on household products, fishing
equipment, and monofilaments are not included in the acquisition and Mazzaferro
will continue its operations at the productions sites located in São Paulo and Diadema.
The acquired business by BASF will be integrated along with its polyamide
polymer and engineering plastics business.

The President of BASF’s Performance Polymers division, Dr.
Wolfgang Hapke stated that this purchase strengthens BASF’s position in the
developing countries. The company will increase the production, based on the
customer demands. There is a strong demand in Brazil for polyamide in the
extrusion and automotive industry. The new location enables BASF to provide
locally manufactured products to South American customers, he stated.

The engineering plastics division of BASF has included
Ultradur (PBT), Ultraform (POM), Ultramid (PA), and Ultrason (PSU, PESU, PPSU).
The engineering plastic Ultramid is polyamide-compounded, which is derived from
base polyamide. The materials are mainly utilized in electrical and automotive
applications.

BASF, www.basf.com